Program Note
Japan has turned into a world of zombies. Rei, who dreamed of becoming a poet, and his younger sister Yuna, who lost their parents, are being helped by Dr. Rika. Yuna, who wanted to die before turning into a zombie, eventually transforms, leaving Rei in despair. Rika, with the help of her acquaintance Takishiba, plans an escape overseas with Rei. However, as Rika herself approaches the stages of turning into a zombie, the question arises: can they find hope amidst endless despair?
As the title suggests, this work's charm lies in its ability to discuss philosophical topics within a zombie narrative. The situation and reality faced by those standing at the crossroads between humanity and zombification raise the heavy question of whether anyone can truly say that death is beautiful. This feature-length animation, created entirely by generative AI, showcases an astonishing level of completion, making it hard to believe it was made by a small team. As AI-generated films become a modern trend, this work, much like its story, hints at various meanings. (Martin LEE)